Emperor Zhenzong of Song
Encyclopedia
Emperor Zhenzong (also Chen-tsung) was the third emperor of the Song Dynasty of China
. He reigned from 997 to 1022. Zhenzong was the third son of Emperor Taizong. His personal name was Zhao Heng and his temple name
Zhenzong means "True Ancestor".
Zhenzong's reign was noted for the consolidation of power and the strengthening of the dynasty. The country prospered, and its military might was further reinforced. However, it would also mark the beginning of a foreign policy towards the Khitan Empire
(Liao Dynasty) in the north that would ultimately result in humiliation. In 1004, the Khitan waged war against the Song empire. Zhenzong, leading his army, struck back at the Khitan. Despite initial successes, in 1005 Zhenzong concluded the Shanyuan Treaty
. The treaty resulted in over a century of peace, but at the price of the Song dynasty agreeing to an inferior position to the Khitan, and also agreeing to pay an annual tribute of 100,000 ounces of silver and over 200,000 bolts of silk. The admission of inferiority would come to plague the foreign affairs of the Song dynasty, while the payments slowly depleted the empire's coffers.
Zhenzong founded the world's most celebrated ceramic kiln
at Jingdezhen
in 1004, which continued to produce porcelain
for China's imperial use until the fall of the Qing Dynasty
900 years later. He was also responsible for ordering the shipment of 30,000 bushels of quick-maturing rice seed from the Fujian Province
to the lower Yangtze
basin in 1011–1012, improving agriculture.
Zhenzong stressed the importance of Daoism at Court. It was during his reign that the so-called Heavenly Texts, which glorified the Zhao family, were allegedly discovered. This was followed up by Imperial sacrifices carried out at Mount Tai
. From 1013 to 1015 he issued official decrees deifying the Jade Emperor
as the highest ruler of Heaven.
and Song dynasty
, some of which had been owned by Emperor Zhenzong were excavated and then came into the hands of the Kuomintang
Muslim General Ma Hongkui
, who refused to publicize the findings. Among the artifacts were a white marble tablet from the Tang dynasty, gold nails, and bands made out of metal. It was not until after Ma died, that his wife went to Taiwan in 1971 from America to bring the artifacts to Chiang Kai-shek
, who turned them over to the Taipei
National Palace Museum
.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. He reigned from 997 to 1022. Zhenzong was the third son of Emperor Taizong. His personal name was Zhao Heng and his temple name
Temple name
Temple names are commonly used when naming most Chinese, Korean , and Vietnamese royalty. They should not be confused with era names. Compared to posthumous names, the use of temple names is more exclusive...
Zhenzong means "True Ancestor".
Zhenzong's reign was noted for the consolidation of power and the strengthening of the dynasty. The country prospered, and its military might was further reinforced. However, it would also mark the beginning of a foreign policy towards the Khitan Empire
Liao Dynasty
The Liao Dynasty , also known as the Khitan Empire was an empire in East Asia that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper between 9071125...
(Liao Dynasty) in the north that would ultimately result in humiliation. In 1004, the Khitan waged war against the Song empire. Zhenzong, leading his army, struck back at the Khitan. Despite initial successes, in 1005 Zhenzong concluded the Shanyuan Treaty
Shanyuan Treaty
The Shanyuan Treaty in 1004/05 was the pivotal point in the relations between the Northern Song and the Liao Dynasties . The ruling class of the Liao were a people of nomadic origin known as the Khitan who rose in the northeast around present-day Heilongjiang Province...
. The treaty resulted in over a century of peace, but at the price of the Song dynasty agreeing to an inferior position to the Khitan, and also agreeing to pay an annual tribute of 100,000 ounces of silver and over 200,000 bolts of silk. The admission of inferiority would come to plague the foreign affairs of the Song dynasty, while the payments slowly depleted the empire's coffers.
Zhenzong founded the world's most celebrated ceramic kiln
Kiln
A kiln is a thermally insulated chamber, or oven, in which a controlled temperature regime is produced. Uses include the hardening, burning or drying of materials...
at Jingdezhen
Jingdezhen
Jingdezhen , is a prefecture-level city, previously a town, in Jiangxi Province, China, with a total population of 1,554,000 . It is known as the "Porcelain Capital" because it has been producing quality pottery for 1700 years. The city has a well-documented history that stretches back over 2000...
in 1004, which continued to produce porcelain
Porcelain
Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating raw materials, generally including clay in the form of kaolin, in a kiln to temperatures between and...
for China's imperial use until the fall of the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
900 years later. He was also responsible for ordering the shipment of 30,000 bushels of quick-maturing rice seed from the Fujian Province
Fujian
' , formerly romanised as Fukien or Huguing or Foukien, is a province on the southeast coast of mainland China. Fujian is bordered by Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, and Guangdong to the south. Taiwan lies to the east, across the Taiwan Strait...
to the lower Yangtze
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
basin in 1011–1012, improving agriculture.
Zhenzong stressed the importance of Daoism at Court. It was during his reign that the so-called Heavenly Texts, which glorified the Zhao family, were allegedly discovered. This was followed up by Imperial sacrifices carried out at Mount Tai
Mount Tai
Mount Tai is a mountain of historical and cultural significance located north of the city of Tai'an, in Shandong province, People's Republic of China. The tallest peak is the Jade Emperor Peak , which is commonly reported as tall, but is described by the PRC government as .Mount Tai is one of the...
. From 1013 to 1015 he issued official decrees deifying the Jade Emperor
Jade Emperor
The Jade Emperor in Chinese folk culture, is the ruler of Heaven and all realms of existence below including that of Man and Hell, according to a version of Taoist mythology. He is one of the most important gods of the Chinese traditional religion pantheon...
as the highest ruler of Heaven.
Archaeology
A number of Chinese artifacts dating from the Tang dynastyTang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
and Song dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
, some of which had been owned by Emperor Zhenzong were excavated and then came into the hands of the Kuomintang
Kuomintang
The Kuomintang of China , sometimes romanized as Guomindang via the Pinyin transcription system or GMD for short, and translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party is a founding and ruling political party of the Republic of China . Its guiding ideology is the Three Principles of the People, espoused...
Muslim General Ma Hongkui
Ma Hongkui
Ma Hongkui , was a prominent warlord in China during the Republic of China era, ruling the northwestern province of Ningxia. His rank was Lieutenant-general. His courtesy name was Shao-yun .- Life :...
, who refused to publicize the findings. Among the artifacts were a white marble tablet from the Tang dynasty, gold nails, and bands made out of metal. It was not until after Ma died, that his wife went to Taiwan in 1971 from America to bring the artifacts to Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek was a political and military leader of 20th century China. He is known as Jiǎng Jièshí or Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng in Mandarin....
, who turned them over to the Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
National Palace Museum
National Palace Museum
The National Palace Museum is an art museum in Taipei. It is the national museum of the Republic of China, and has a permanent collection of over 677,687 pieces of ancient Chinese artifacts and artworks, making it one of the largest in the world. The collection encompasses over 8,000 years of...
.
Personal information
- Father
- Emperor Taizong of SongEmperor Taizong of SongEmperor Taizong , born Zhao Kuangyi, was the second emperor of the Song Dynasty of China from 976 to 997. He was the younger brother of Emperor Taizu. His temple name Taizong means "Grand Ancestor".-Overview:...
- Emperor Taizong of Song
- Mother
- Empress LiEmpress Li (Taizong)Empress Li was a Chinese Empress consort of the Song Dynasty, married to Emperor Taizong of Song.- Sources :...
, posthumously honored as Empress Yuande (元德皇后)
- Empress Li
- Wife
- Princess Pan (968 - 989), eighth daughter of Pan Mei (潘美), died before Zhenzong's accession and was posthumously honored as Empress Zhanghuai (章怀皇后)
- Empress GuoEmpress Guo (Zhenzong)Empress Guo was a Chinese Empress consort of the Song Dynasty, married to Emperor Zhenzong of Song.- Sources :...
(975 - 1007), second daughter of Guo Shouwen (郭守文) and granddaughter of military officer Guo Hui (郭暉), mother of Crown Prince You, formally Empress Zhangmu (章穆皇后) - Empress Liu EEmpress Liu E (Zhenzong)Empress Liu E was a Chinese Empress consort of the Song Dynasty, married to Emperor Zhenzong of Song. She was the regent of China for her son in 1022–1031.- Sources :* http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/China_Heads.htm...
(968 - 1033), daughter of Liu Tong (劉通) and Lady Pang, formally Empress Zhangxianmingsu (章獻明肅皇后) - Empress Li (987 - 1032), daughter of Li Rende (李仁德), mother of Prince Zhen, posthumously honored as Empress Zhangyi (章懿皇后)
- Empress Yang (984 - 1036), daughter of Yang Zhiyan (楊知儼), posthumously honored as Empress Zhanghui (章惠皇后)
- Concubine
- Consort Shen (994 - 1076), daughter of Shen Jizong (沈繼宗) and granddaughter of Chancellor Shen Lun (沈倫), formally Consort Zhao Jing
- Consort Du
- Consort Cao
- Consort Chen
- Consort Dai
- Consort Xu
- Consort Chen
- Sons
- Zhao Ti (趙褆), the Prince of Wen (溫王), died young
- Zhao You (趙祐), Crown Prince Daoxian (悼獻太子)
- Zhao Zhi (趙祇), the Prince of Chang (昌王), died young
- Zhao Zhong (趙祉), the Prince of Xin (信王)
- Zhao Gui (趙祈), the Prince of Qin (欽王), died young
- Zhao Zhen 趙禎 (30 May 1010 - 30 April 1063), Emperor RenzongEmperor Renzong of SongEmperor Renzong was the fourth emperor of the Song Dynasty of China. His personal name was Zhao Zhen . He reigned from 1022 to 1063. Renzong was the son of Emperor Zhenzong of Song. Despite his long reign of over 40 years, Renzong is not widely known...
- Daughters
- Princess Hui (惠國公主), died young
- Princess Sheng (升國大長公主), previously Princess Lu (魯國大長公主), initially Princess Wei (衛國長公主)
Ancestry
See also
- Architecture of the Song DynastyArchitecture of the Song DynastyThe architecture of the Song Dynasty was noted for its towering Buddhist pagodas, enormous stone and wooden bridges, lavish tombs, and palaces. Although literary works on architecture existed beforehand, architectural writing blossomed during the Song Dynasty, maturing into a more professional...
- Culture of the Song DynastyCulture of the Song DynastyThe Song Dynasty was a culturally rich and sophisticated age for China. There was blossoming of and advancements in the visual arts, music, literature, and philosophy...
- Economy of the Song DynastyEconomy of the Song DynastyThe economy of China under the Song Dynasty of China was marked by commercial expansion, financial prosperity, increased international trade-contacts, and a revolution in agricultural productivity. Private finance grew, stimulating the development of a country-wide market network which linked the...
- History of the Song DynastyHistory of the Song DynastyThe Song Dynasty of China was a ruling dynasty that controlled China proper and southern China from the middle of the 10th century into the last quarter of the 13th century...
- List of Song Emperors
- Society of the Song DynastySociety of the Song DynastyChinese society during the Song Dynasty was marked by political and legal reforms, a philosophical revival of Confucianism, and the development of cities beyond administrative purposes into centers of trade, industry, and maritime commerce...
- Technology of the Song DynastyTechnology of the Song DynastyThe Song Dynasty provided some of the most significant technological advances in Chinese history, many of which came from talented statesmen drafted by the government through imperial examinations....